The closest call in the area took place for Chipping Barnet, with Theresa Villiers narrowly keeping her seat.

Ms Villiers won 25,679 votes while Labour’s Emma Whysall won 25,326, so only a few hundred votes clinched the win for the Conservatives on a rocky night nationwide.

This is a big shock compared to last year, where Ms Villiers beat Labour's Amy Trevethan in a landslide victory of more than 7,500 votes.

Ms Villiers spoke about the need for her party to listen to the people as they are “sending a message” in the lack of a majority throughout the country.

She said: “I feel relieved, which is the most appropriate word, and I feel very honoured to be the MP for Chipping Barnet.

“It has been a difficult night for the party and we all need to reflect on what has caused the big shift and the unexpected nature of the results.”

Ms Whysall said winning the seat would have been “a large mountain” but she was happy with the gains made by the party.

She said: “With the news of a hung parliament we may all be back here in 12 months’ time and I will be standing for the people of Chipping Barnet again.”

Liberal Democrats’ Marisha Ray got 3,012 votes and Phil Fletcher of the Green Party won 1,406 votes.